Thanks to the generosity of Thomson Reuters, the ILBF has recently been able to organize shipments to six different organisations in four countries. Over 1,200 books are about to start the sea journey to Ethiopia, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda and Zambia.
The ILBF has not been able to pack books held in our bookstore since the lockdown in the UK started in March. We like to keep up as regular a flow of books as we can, so although we have been able to continue to process applications, we really wanted to find a way to get books to our recipients to meet the demand.
Access to relevant up-to-date legal materials is always important, and never more so than in times of crisis when internet connections are overstretched. Not all legal information is digitized, and not all organisations can purchase subscriptions. Despite coronavirus (Covid-19), we know that law students, lawyers, and judges are doing their best to maintain access to justice and the rule of law all over the world.
We are so fortunate that the team at Thomson Reuters came to the rescue! Over the last 18 months, the editorial team have packed books for the ILBF at Clifford Chance. Now it has been the turn of their warehouse and distribution staff to help us. They have packed a total of 167 boxes of key legal texts, donated by Thomson Reuters, covering a range of legal subject areas.
‘At a time when the world is grappling with the human impact of Covid-19, we are delighted to have been able to assist the ILBF and ensure that the requests from these organisations have been fulfilled in spite of the logistical challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic. The law is fundamental to establishing and protecting the rights of individuals and to upholding free, fair and informed societies—access to legal research resources is more important than ever. Donating these books for use where they really are needed also minimizes the adverse impacts that our publishing operations have on the natural environment and promotes sustainable operating principles. We are looking forward to hearing about the safe arrival of the shipments at their destination!’
Tania Quan, Senior Director, Print UK Operations at Thomson Reuters
The ILBLF is incredibly grateful to Thomson Reuters for their support, especially at this time. Not only have the books been donated and packed, but Thomson Reuters have also delivered the boxes to our shipper for onward shipment to their final destinations. Ships are sailing in late July and early August and should arrive over the next 6 weeks or so.
Thomson Reuters titles on the packing line
Thomson Reuters distribution team loading the boxes with their new ILBF labels!
We’ll be tracking the progress of the books as they cross the oceans and posting news as they arrive!
In the meantime, for more information on legal resources available during the Covid-19 pandemic, see: Access to legal information during the Coronavirus pandemic.
